When getting a men’s haircut, being able to specify exact lengths and sizes is crucial to get the look you want. Haircut numbers and clipper guard sizes allow you to precisely communicate how short or long you want the top, sides, and back cut.
Whether you want an edgy undercut, professional side part, or classic crew cut, understanding the numbering system is key. Here are the top haircut numbers for men’s styles to tell your barber.
1. Number 1 Cut
The number 1 guard cuts hair to just 1/8 of an inch length. This ultra-short size works well for creating crisp edges and lining up hairlines when tapering fades or for all-over buzz cuts.
Ask for a number 1 for a slight 5 o’clock stubble look all over the head or to outline your neckline and edges. Use it sparingly, or risk an overly-short style.
2. Number 2 Cut
The number 2 clipper guard cuts hair to 1/4 inch long. This popular size can buzz or fade the back and sides down short.
Pair a number 2 fade with longer hair for an undercut or comb-over. Or go with a uniform number 2 all over for an office-appropriate conservative buzz cut. Using the number 2 all over provides just enough length to style with the product.
3. Number 3 Cut
A number 3 guard leaves hair 3/8 of an inch long. By cutting hair to number 3 length, you can achieve a slightly longer buzz cut, crew cut, or flat top hairstyle.
Guys with wavy or curly hair may prefer the extra length a number 3 offers on top while tapering shorter sides. This versatile length provides a medium foundation to work with.
4. Number 4 Cut
The number 4 clipper guard cuts hair to a half-inch long. This medium-short length on top is great for modern cuts like fades, tapers, comb-overs, brush-ups, and spiky styles.
A number 4 provides enough length to play with texture or height while keeping the sides short. As a taper guide, number 4 blends longer hair above down to shorter lengths below.
5. Number 5 Cut
A number 5 guard leaves hair 5/8 of an inch long – slightly more than half an inch. Number 5 makes a good foundation for longer crew cuts, buzz cuts, and messy textured styles.
According to MensHaircuts, guys with straight, fine hair often prefer cutting the top and sides to a number 5 length for manageability and flow. It offers versatility for styling volume or wearing natural.
6. Number 6 Cut
Cutting hair to a number 6 length, trim it to 3/4 of an inch long. This medium-long size provides ample length for comb-overs, pomps, quiffs, brush-ups, and flowy surfer-style haircuts.
It allows hair to fall on the longer side of the short while leaving enough length to play with height and texture. 6 is a magic number for barbers when cutting men’s medium hairstyles.
7. Number 7 Cut
The number 7 guard cuts hair to 7/8 of an inch long – just shy of a full inch length. A number 7 clip leaves enough hair to spike, sweep back, or style into place while avoiding an unruly long style.
It balances nicely between short and medium lengths. The number 7 is great for maintaining volume on thinning hair when you want some length left.
8. Number 8 Cut
Using the number 8 attachment, trim hair down to a full inch long. This leaves maximum length when keeping hair on the shorter side.
An inch of hair allows you to play with fullness, height, flow, and texture when styling. For longer men’s hairstyles like man buns, top knots, waves, curls, and braids, the number 8 makes a perfect length.
9. Half And Blending Sizes
Half haircut numbers like 1/2, 1 1/2, and 2 1/2 allow more subtle tapering from longer to shorter lengths.
A 1/2 cut hair just 1/16-inch long for bald fades or lining up details. The 1 1/2 (3/8 inch) and 2 1/2 (5/8 inch) make ideal battler lengths when blending cuts.